It's no secret that eggs, full of protein, minerals, and vitamins, are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. Across the globe, the average person consumes about 150-200 eggs a year. That's over a trillion eggs! Now ask yourself this: "What happens to all those eggshells?"
A chicken egg shell is about 96% calcium carbonate crystals which are bound together by proteins. Common commercial methods for disposing of eggshells include using them as fertilizers or as a source of calcium in animal feed, but the average consumer puts them in the trashcan or down the garbage disposal. If you're one of these people, please read on to discover six creative uses for eggshells that will benefit your garden.
1. Fertilizer
Eggshells are a brilliant way to add calcium to your compost. Since eggshells have a very high surface area to volume ratio, they decompose very quickly. You don't even have to worry about sterilizing them or grinding them up - just toss your shells on the pile or into the barrel and turn them under. Alternately, you can add crumbled eggshells directly to the bottom of your planting holes in the spring.
During the winter, distribute the shells over the plot of land where you will be planting come springtime. Once the ground warms up, you can till the shells into the soil. If you don't like the idea of having eggshells on the ground all winter, you can also clean and store the shells until planting season arrives.
While calcium is considered to be a secondary nutrient for plants, your garden will definitely appreciate the added minerals, especially if you're growing tomatoes and peppers as these plants are easily affected by calcium deficiencies.
2. Pest-Deterrent
If you have a problem with slugs or snails, try sprinkling coarsely-crumbled eggshells around the plants that these pests like to dine on. The shells' sharp edges abrade the sensitive feet of any land mollusk that attempts to cross the barrier.
3. Feed the Birds
Both before and after laying eggs, mother birds need lots of calcium in their diets. Sterilize your eggshells by baking them at around 120 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes so the shells are dry, but not brown on the inside. Then crumble your eggshells well and place them outdoors (in a feeder or even just on the ground) during the spring and summer.
You can also mix the eggshell crumbles with birdseed, suet, or mealworms in a bird feeder. Either way, these mother birds might just thank you by also dining on any pests that could be damaging your garden.
4. Seed-Starter Pots
5. Repel Deer
If you have deer visiting your garden and munching on your precious plants every night, scatter some eggshells around the plants that they like best. Deer tend to stay away from areas that smell like raw eggs. Just be careful when using this method as the smell may actually attract rodents who like to eat eggs.
6. Aesthetic Value
Finely ground eggshells can be very pretty. If you have a large family or simply eat a lot of eggs, boil your shells to sterilize them, crumble, then drop into a large glass jar for storage. Once you have collected enough shell pieces, sprinkle them around and between your plants. Not only will the eggshells help control pests and eventually add calcium back to the soil, the white color can also bring a beautiful accent to your garden.
Source: naturallivingideas
Older Than 40? These Tips Will Help You Get a Beach Body!
The big 40 sneaks up on us. All of a sudden, it’s much easier to gain weight and much harder to lose it. Here's how to get a beach body when you're 40 or older.
If You Ever Get Stung by a Jellyfish, Here's What to Do!
If you're at the beach this summer and happen to get stung by a jellyfish, here's what you should do!
7 Fantastic Ways to Use Tea Bags in Your Garden
Before you dump your tea bags you should be aware that they can come in handy in the garden. Here are 7 great ways you can use tea bags in your garden.
Your Herb Garden Will Flourish with These Helpful Tips!
The following six tips will help you grow an abundance of herbs round the year.
How to Keep Cool in the Summer Without Switching the AC On
In the summer, it’s very tempting to switch on the AC or plant yourself in front of the nearest fan, but these aren’t the only tricks to help you keep cool.
Read These Tips and Banish Your Self-Doubt for Good!
There are small things that we can do to help conquer self-doubt and this infograph reveals all.
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
16 Useful Charts & Guides That Teach You Surprising Things
Save these useful charts and guides. They will come in handy someday.
20 Great Kitchen Tips That'll Save You On Money and Effort!
Make your kitchen that much more efficient and less time consuming with these 20 great tips that might change your kitchen experience forever.
9 Ways to Use Coffee to Make Your Hair and Skin Shine
Caffeine, a familiar component of coffee, can stimulate blood circulation, leading to radiant, healthy, and bright skin.
5 Home Remedies to Banish Mosquitoes From Your Life
Yo won't need to spend another cent on mosquito repellents once you have become acquainted with these natural ones!
This Non-Toxic Spray Will Keep Your Grandkids' Toys Clean
Children love to get their toys dirty, and this non-toxic cleaner will leave them looking as good as new.
10 Wise Plumbing Tips From a Professional Plumber
Here are ten brilliant tips that can save you heaps of time and money when you've got plumbing problems at home.
How to Prepare Matcha, the Healthiest Drink on the Market!
Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there and this is how you can make it yourself.
21 Sizzling Hot Microwave Tips To Improve Your Life
The microwave is something we use every day, but did you know how many different ways you can use it? Here are 21 surprising uses.
Cowboy Cures: Saddle Up for Immune-Boosting Home Remedies
Watch this video to learn some useful cowboy cures for a healthy life.
Using These 7 Words Will Add Positivity to Your Life!
Adding these positive words to your daily vocabulary will make a huge difference in your attitude towards life.
These Life Hacks Will Take Good Care of Your Shoes
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just looking to extend the life of your favorite pair, these insights will transform how you care for your footwear.
7 Streaming Services You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Looking for an alternative to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+? Try these underrated streaming services.
A Coffee Filter Can Be the Most Helpful Item in the House...
Don't let their name fool you - coffee filters are some of the most useful things you can have around the house!
Easily Create These 8 Natural Sprays
Eight wonderful recipes to make eight natural sprays that can make your life easier and healthier.
Here are 15 Ways I've Thought of to Reuse Plastic Bags
In recent years, we have seen laws introduced to control the use of plastic bags, in an attempt to encourage us to reuse and recycle them.You will be surprised to discover what you can do to reuse plastic bags.
How to Beat Knee Pain While Going Up and Down the Stairs
Knee hurts while climbing stairs? These tips might just help.
This Short Grilling Tip Will Make Your Food Taste Better
Learn the best type of smoke for your grill and how to create it at home.
8 Pressure Points for Improving Memory and Concentration
Whenever you feel stress starting to affect your concentration, or if you just want to improve your memory, try these 8 points ...
29 Facts That Show Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction
History is rich in plot twists and these amazing stories are strange but true, proving history is sometimes stranger than fiction. Which one of these will blow your mind?
How to Keep Greens Crisp and Fresh for More Than a Week
Here are 3 straightforward methods for keeping your greens fresh for longer than a week...
This Tip Collection is Amazingly Helpful!
You’ll be pleased to hear there are old wives' tales that are grounded in fact. This list of 9 true tales will help you get your house spic and span!
Avoid These 13 Domestic Chemical Reactions and Be Safe
There are certain chemicals and substances that shouldn't mix together, because the result could be catastrophic. Make note of these 13 combinations now.
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?
These graphology tips will help you figure out what your handwriting says about you.
How to Start a Garden on a Windowsill
No green thumb is needed for this simple gardening project.
Financial Planning for Widowhood - 7 Important Tips
Losing a spouse can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. But there are some important financial steps you must take immediately.
20 Cooking Tips Everyone Should Be Aware Of
These cooking tips will hopefully close a lot of little holes in your kitchen knowledge.
10 Useful Guides to Help You With Your Clothes
10 useful guides to help you in your daily struggle with clothes.
10 Quick and Easy Solutions to 10 Common Cleaning Problems
We have searched high and low to bring you ten easy solutions that solve a number of everyday household cleaning issues. You are sure to find these useful!
6 Popular Grocery Items You Should Definitely Stop Buying
Many companies have become masters at selling us stuff we don't need. Here are some of the worst offenders.
10 Ingenious Uses for Your Old Rubber Bands
These are the rubber band uses that you never considered. Some of these are amazing!
The Art of Reading Faces: Tips from an Expert
Learn all about reading people’s faces with useful tips from former FBI agent and body language expert Joe Navarro.
Tired of Feeling Angry? Use the Following Pressure Points
Learn the pressure points that help relieve feelings of frustration, anger, and worry.
5 Different Christmas Plants and How to Care for Them
In this guide, you'll find some tips on how to keep it alive throughout the season, and how to maintain it for next year.
6 Common Mistakes You're Likely Making When Cracking Eggs
These are the biggest mistakes people make when cracking eggs.
The Best Natural Methods to Controlling Excess Sweat
While sweating can be good for you, sometimes it can be embarrassing and cause a foul odor. Discover natural ways to prevent excess sweating.
20 Foods That Should Be Kept Out of the Refrigerator
The refrigerator allows us to keep food fresh for longer, but there are certain foods, such as the 20 here, which are not meant for the cold...
16 Human Foods You Can Share With Your Dog or Cat
In this article, we will present you with 8 foods for dogs and 8 foods for cats.
The Smart Weight-Loss Tips No One Ever Told You
These simple daily changes can bring an avalanche of goodness to your body. I'm sure you've never heard at least half of these tips, but each and every one of them will have a small and meaningful effect on your weight loss.
Practical Tips on Adjusting a Home to be Senior-Friendly
Take note of these useful tips that will help you make your home more accessible and safe for your life ahead.
Whoa! I Never Knew an Empty Plastic Bottle was So Useful
When you've finished with the contents of a plastic bottle, don't throw the bottle away as it can be used for so many different things.